Medical Collection Artifacts

Early Park Title

Medical Collection Artifacts
	Scarificator RBCM HH1988.2.90a Used in phlebotomy or blood letting, this spring-loaded instrument featured a dozen retracing blades which were fired by pulling a trigger. After cupping has drawn blood to the surface of the skin this is used to produce a many cuts at the same moment as part of blood-letting therapy. Despite it ancient roots in Greek medicine this is no longer a common medical practice.
	Cupping Glasses, RBCM HH988.2.19a-g Used to draw blood to the surface when blood letting.
	Medical Books Two volumes from Dr Helmcken’s reference library, the volume on Surgery was published in 1851.
	Chloroform and mask RBCM HH 988.3.17 This inhaler mask, made in 1846 is made of silver and lined with red velvet. It represents one of the very early experiments in designing what is today a plastic mask for anesthetizing patients before surgery. In the 1840s the use of ether and chloroform were being taught for the first time as Dr. Helmcken completed his medical schooling at Guy’s Hospital in London
	Post-Morten Surgical kit, this kit includes several scalpels, a saw, bowel scissors and chain hooks. RBCM HH 988.3.9
	Horn Measuring cup and ivory measuring spoons. RBCM HH988.29.7 and 988.29.32a,b
	Cupping instrument set. The brass syringe like device was used to pull air from the cup creating a vacuum. Cupping was sued both dry and wet. Dry cupping was used to move blood around the body, while wet cupping included the removal of some blood. RBCM HH988.3.13
	Pocket Medicine Case, this small case contains vials of Sulphate of Quinia, Vegetable Cathartic, Phosphoropus, Arsenious Acid, and Sulphate Morphia. RBCM HH988.3.39
	Pill Box, the pharmacists’ Searby and Moore made these for Mrs. Helmcken, ca. 1865 RBCM HH988.3.34
	Medicine Bottle, from the Pharmacy of Langley & Co. for Sir James Douglas in 1877. RBCM HH988.5.29
	Irrigation Syringe RBCM HH988.3.19
	Capsule Box, this box holds glass capsules of Nitrate of Amyl encased in silk. Nitrate of Amyl was first used in Britain to treat Angina in 1867. RBCM HH988.2.80
	Vaccine container, this container once held cowpox vaccine for use in vaccination against smallpox. Cowpox was first used as a vaccine in England in 1796. RBCM HH988.4.29
	Medicine Chest, Dr. Helmcken brought this medicine chest with him from England in 1850. RBCM HH988.1.14 RBCM IMG_0839

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